In December 2018, AMT organized the annual meeting of Mexico´s Manufacturing Processes Advisory Board. It took place at Schneider Electric’s facility in Monterrey. In addition to our host Schneider, also represented were: Case New Holland, Tremec, Paulo, Brembo, Cummins and domestic job shops both from the metal cutting and forming industries. Experts from the die and mold design industry were present, as well as executives from the Mexican Auto Parts Manufacturers Association.

The January webinar for the Manufacturing Tech Council (MTC) focused on advanced sensors and I want to share some great content that provides additional perspective and insight into the rapid evolution of sensor technology. From the Industrial Internet of Things to autonomous vehicles, Industry 4.0 to medical care, new types of sensors are changing the game and creating new opportunities for improved operations, reduced maintenance, and new revenue sources.

To better serve our members in 2019, there will be some welcome additions to the palette of information services offered by Global Services. AMT’s Strategic Analytics Department and our international tech centers have, for years, supplied AMT members with the business intelligence necessary to make sound strategic decisions to drive sales. This has, for the most part, been on a reactive basis initiated by specific member inquiries. There are the various business intelligence apps available through our MTInsight platform where curated data and powerful analytics yield actionable intelligence. Kudos to all of you who have taken advantage of all of this. However, many members do not even know these sources and services exist at AMT!

At the recent IMTS Winter Economic Update webinar, AMT Chief Knowledge Officer Pat McGibbon discussed how the economic indicators for the energy and power industry are trending upward: Industrial Production Index is at 91.3 percent and Capacity Utilization is at 82.5 percent. Micron Technology, Kinder Morgan and DTE Energy all have notable building projects at $1 billion and above.

December 2018 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $189.1 million according to USCTI and AMT. This total was down 9.7 percent from November’s $209.42 million but up 8.1 percent when compared with the $175 million reported for December 2017. With a year-to-date total of $2.47 billion, 2018 was up 12.5 percent when compared with 2017. (more)

U.S, Manufacturing technology orders were $443 million in December, down two percent from November and six percent from December 2017. The year-end order total for 2018 was $5.5 billion, up 19 percent from the annual sum for 2017. The November to December drop was only the third time in the program’s history that a year didn’t end with an uptick in orders from November. (more)

November 2018 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $209.42 million according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was down 6.3 percent from October’s $223.46 million and up 13.2 percent when compared with the $184.97 million reported for November 2017. With a year-to-date total of $2.28 billion, 2018 is up 12.9 percent when compared with 2017. (more)

AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology announces today that Travis Egan has joined our organization as the Vice President of Business Development. His focus will be introducing our current suite of innovative offerings to AMT members and developing new products, services, and markets. (more)

MCLEAN, VA, January 14, 2019 - Manufacturing technology orders were $458 million in November, down two percent from October and up seven percent from November 2017. October through December orders are running significantly higher than the fourth quarter of 2017 but not at the frenetic pace set by third-quarter 2018 order values. The $5 billion year-to-date sum is up an impressive 22 percent from the same 11 months in 2017. (more)

Orbex has introduced the world’s largest metal rocket engine 3D printed in a single piece on the SLM®800. Founded in 2015, the UK-based spaceflight company develops small satellite launch vehicles and introduced Prime, their revolutionary and environmentally-friendly rocket at the grand opening of their new headquarters in Forres, Scotland. The novel Orbex launcher not only uses 100% renewable fuel to cut carbon emissions by 90% and a novel zero-shock staging and payload separation resulting in zero orbital debris, but was also design-optimized for selective laser melting, helping to create a structure 30% lighter and 20% more efficient than any other launch vehicle in its category. (more)

Since its founding in 1952, the Precision Twist Drill brand of cutting tools has represented both reliability and quality to its broad user base. This standard continues with a selection of HSS drills and carbide rotary burrs designed specifically to meet the needs of the Maintenance & Repair professional. Branded as PRECISIONLIGHT, this program of drills and burrs will provide affordable reliability together with a level of service and support consistent with that of the balance of the Dormer Pramet broad product offering. (more)

Beckwood Press Company recently engineered, manufactured, and delivered the first ever press with automated die change to Spirit AeroSystems for use in Spirit’s Joule Form™ manufacturing process. Using the automated press system from Beckwood, Spirit will be able to efficiently form lightweight titanium parts by directing energy only where it is needed, ultimately decreasing machined-part costs. (more)